Medicus - Rome Meets Monk Meets M*A*S*H

Ruth Downie's debut novel is a rather lighthearted piece called Medicus, the story of a Roman doctor with the 20th Legion stationed in Britannia. Gaius Petrius Ruso is the protagonist, a practical doctor who believes more in medicine than magic and just wants to get a good nights sleep free of dogs, dirty dishes, or noisy roommates. With an impoverished family, a belittling ex wife, and an unfinished medical text hanging over him like a gloomy cloud, Ruso's strange salvation comes in the form of a native slave girl whom he calls Tilla. (From Utilla- meaning useful.) The discovery of a dead girl in the river starts a strange series of events in which Ruso is nearly killed several times, in which he learns to wear trousers, and in which he learns that sometimes a good deed can be repaid tenfold in the end of things.

While a historical mystery, this story focuses more on the characters and their interactions than the historical aspects of it. It draws parallels between everyday life 2000 years ago and our own. The doctor lives paycheck to paycheck, always wondering when he'll be able to be independently wealthy. He fights with middle management and bureaucratic nonsense. His roommate is a slob who gets by more on looks and charm than on talent. His ex wife always complained he never applied himself to his job. Construction crews are over budget and behind schedule. The streets are full of people trying to get by, people trying to take advantage of others, and people thinking themselves culturally superior to others.

Downie's style of writing is very light hearted. She draws you in with dialog and banter rather than long descriptions of Roman life and buildings. She makes mention of some of the harsh cruelties of Roman life but merely in passing; a background mention to acknowledge it is there. The life of a slave is explored as the storyline revolves the unkind death of one of the girls from the local 'restaurant'. (Which also happened to have rooms for rent with ladies who'll give you attention in exchange for 'tips'. All very legal and above board.) Some, like Tilla, have caring masters who look out for their welfare and happiness. Others, like Chloe, are at the whim of their owner and subject to harsh punishment if they do not please.

This story could fit easily into any time period on any wild frontier. You could see it being played out in a western boom town, with girls trying to work their way west. You could see it in Korea or Viet Nam (Some parallels are drawn between the doctors and M*A*S*H in their lighthearted view of severe injuries). And sadly, Downie does draw a parallel between modern slavery and those of the ancient times. There are girls being forced to work in brothels, abroad and in the U.S.

For a debut piece it could not be finer. Witty, well paced, and amusing, Medicus is a historical novel that's short on the history and plentiful on the novel. A light read that many will find irresistible.